Clinton's WWI monument finally is installed

Karen Nugent TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

Published Wednesday October 31, 2012 at 9:00 pm

Updated Wednesday October 31, 2012 at 9:47 pm

PHOTO/ T&G Staff/PAUL KAPTEYN

Dimeco Inc. employees Ryan Draleau, left, and Timothy McGowan, both of Clinton, prepare to install pavers in front of the newly installed World War I monument at Hamilton Square in Clinton on Wednesday.

After nearly two years of controversy and three proposed locales, a much-awaited World War I monument has been erected in Depot Square — officially called Hamilton Square — the place where many Clintonians gathered before leaving to fight in the Great War.

The 10-by-6-foot monument, with 673 names engraved on a plaque on the front, is expected to be in finished by Tuesday.

Workers from Dimeco’s Nursery and Landscape were laying concrete in front of the monument today planned to finish landscaping within the next few days. A path from Main Street will lead to the front of the monument, along with paths from either side.

Lisa A. McPhee, commander of the James R. Kirby American Legion Post 50, said she is relieved the monument finally has a home.

“After much thought I agree with the site, because these men stood together shoulder to shoulder and left Clinton from that location to fight for our freedom,” she said in an email.

“This monument represents a reunion of sorts for the men who did not return to Clinton with their fellow soldiers and sailors. Now, once again, they are all standing together in that special location. This location embraces what is good about Clinton and what these heroes stood for during a time of war.”

A Veterans Day ceremony is planned to officially unveil the monument. Ms. McPhee said many family members of those named on the structure will attend, along with the Clinton High School band. VIPs, including Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray, have been invited.

Hamilton Square is named for Perley R. Hamilton, who died in World War I. Members of his family gave permission to use the park, off Main and Sterling streets.

The monument’s journey to its final spot has been tumultuous.

A battle about the site began in 2010.

An initial locale, in front of Town Hall facing Church Street, was rejected because a tree would have to be removed and the monument was deemed too large for that space. It was then changed to the Walnut Street side of Town Hall, near similar monuments with the names of veterans of World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars inscribed on them. It turns out that site also required removing a tree.

Next, a proposal to put the monument at the Veterans Memorial Athletic Field, off Route 110 across from the high school, was voted down by a Legion monument committee, resulting in the resignation of John F. Gannon, chairman of the committee.

Central Park was also considered, in the beginning and at the end of the brouhaha, but a suitable site was not agreed upon by the Parks and Recreation Department or the Legion committee.